Her father had been born what the English would call a ‘gentleman’ and her mother a lady.
It was that pride that prevented her from raging at him or, worse still, from kneeling at his feet and pleading with him to go on loving her.
She would have done anything, committed any crime or suffered any humiliation, rather than lose him.
But then she realised that it was really hopeless.
She knew that, if her love could not hold him, so all the words were just wasted.
She stood silent as Juan said,
“I have been afraid to tell you this, Inès, but it has to be said. All I can repeat is that I am deeply grateful for the wonderful years that we have been together and in all sincerity I hope and pray that you will find happiness for yourself in the future.”
‘It was a set speech,’ she had though
